Hi Karolien:

I only ride solo - I don't carry a passenger, and I don't like riding in groups. I've ridden about 150,000 km this way in the past 10 years - most recently, spending last week touring through your country, primarily in the West Flanders region (really nice, but not exactly hilly and twisty).

Honestly, I don't even think twice about where I want to stop. I just poke along, and usually take a break for a coffee and mineral water about once every 90 minutes. Normally I look for a small restaurant or cafe that has some outdoor seating - this because I like to sit outside, not so much because I want to keep an eye on the motorcycle. If I see a place that looks suitable, I stop there - it is always a 'spur of the moment' decision.

9 times out of 10, I will be the only person at the restaurant or cafe that has arrived on a motorcycle. If I am riding somewhere where there are lots of other motorcyclists (e.g. in the Swiss mountain passes), there might be lots of other motorcycles at the place I stop at, but my experience is that all the other riders pretty much ignore me completely, because they are either with their friends or with their passenger. Occasionally someone might comment on my Canadian licence plate, and occasionally someone who is riding the exact same type of motorcycle that I have (a Honda ST 1100) might come over and say hello, mostly just to yak about common technical issues on the motorcycle.

But, 95% of the time, other motorcyclists never initiate conversation, which is fine with me.

If I arrive on my moto and I am the only person at a restaurant or cafe, and non-motorcyclists see me arrive, sometimes they will strike up a conversation and make pleasant small talk. In some cases, that lasts about 60 seconds. In other cases, I wind up talking to that person (or persons) for quite a while, and it is a pleasant event.

My guess is that other motorcyclists take far, far less notice of you than you think they do... so, my suggestion would be "don't be concerned at all".

So far as frequency of breaks is concerned, I don't like to ride for more than 90 minutes without taking a 15 minute break. I think my concentration and attention to detail starts to diminish if I am on the bike for more than 90 minutes at a time. But, having said that, I have no problem riding 1,000 km in a day - it just means that I take about 7 coffee or meal breaks along the way.

Michael

And I thought I was the only one being picky on stopping places.

But I am slowly discovering that what PanEuropean mentioned does work.

Stop at least ever 90 minutes for a short break, even if it seems often.
At the end of the day you will feel much better.

And some places where you stop might not be so nice. Accept that they can't all be good. Eat/drink/rest a bit and you're ready to go again.



Nico.

Never worry about what might happen; it invariably never will.

I ride everywhere by myself. It was very daunting at first. I remember the first time I went to France for two weeks (massive for me at the time!), I nearly didn't get on the Ferry, I was worried about all sorts of things.

Some of the best things I've experienced are pulling up for a stop (never planned, just when I need the loo / get hungry / etc) are having an impromptu chat with anyone around (both bikers and non bikers). I've also found elderly gents coming over reminiscing about their biking days! I've always found that pulling up anywhere on a bike is a great starter for a conversation - usually they come to me!

I am a solo rider. I never know or plan on where I am going to go less there is a good reason. Most of the time I change my mind a few times any way.
I know some place along the way there will someplace to get something to eat and gas for the bike. And for 80,000 or so miles I have made on a bike there has been. After all the roads go some place and the cars and trucks need gas and the people need food.
Other bikers at a place is a good sign to stop. Bikers tend to go safe areas as no one likes the bike messed with. We all like good food riding and having a safe area for the bike Sport rider to a dusty 1% MC there all the same. Stop and look at what there looking at. There is something to the "brotherhood" riders have.
I stop any time anything even looks out of place, nice, there is something new or odd or there is something to the colors I see. Stopped in some vary bad places and dropped my bike more than few time doing this. Bit of photo guy so well worth it to me. May have saved a life once.
Having said that I do pack tools for the bike I can fix a flat and there is a little food and water for a few days if I am going more than just down the road.

Get a few unplaned trips under you and you will fine. Trust your self, point the bike down the road and ride.

Interesting. This is quite common in Japan, where I live, but some travelers from other countries complain that Japanese motorcyclists don't strike up a conversation whenever they stop. Maybe this is why I like Japan. People leave you alone most of the time (but certainly will help if you are in a pinch).
I guess it all depends on the individual. Some people ride to make friends, while some people ride just to ride.

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Hi Karolien

I read your post with interest, as someone returning to bikes after a number of years, I will be biting the bullit, and heading into Europe at the end of June with Turkey as my turn around point. I am a little anxious about the trip, however, I feel it would be worse for me if I did not go. I enjoy meeting people and travelling alone I hope to meet many, I will of course exercise caution when my instincts indicate I should. I have the view that treat people well and in general they will treat you the same way, there are always exceptions, but that's part of life.

Best wishes for your future travels.

Tom

Generally when I go for a trip I probably have a destination that has a 50% chance of being realised. As many have said here, it is far better to not have any form of tight itinerary, that only makes for stress and clock watching. You should stop often enough for a drink of some sort to ensure you do not start dehydrating. if you feel a bit off, headachy or not at your best this may be the cause. Usually I will stop when I see somewhere nice, but I might combine one stop a day with getting fuel.

Trust your instincts about where to stop, but you do need to get you "eye in" for likely places. really though most of it is just a matter of confidence. I do like to have a midday brew up with my lunch, but then again sometimes if i see something promising I may well buy lunch. Just do what you want at the time.

Some people over analyse and try to work out and be prepared for all possibilities. Often though life unfolds differently to your planning, just go with the flow.

I sometimes carry food/drink with me - partly because a lot of my day to day riding is done in the Highlands of Scotland and there are loads of lovely places to stop and have a bite while taking in the view, and partly because I'm often making the most of limited time and ordering food ion a cafe or pub takes time.

Most people will feel a twinge of terror when pulling up in front of loads of other bikers because there is always a chance that you will do something silly and end up on your ear, but at least there would be plenty of willing hands to pick up the bike and if you don't be a dick and lose your sense of humour it will just be a temporary embarrasment. Make a joke if you drop it!

Otherwise I stop where I damn well like, whether that is a five star lodge in Africa, a Parador in Spain or a greasy spoon off the A1 in England. Quite often you can get into conversations, especially if your machine looks interesting.

Happily long gone are the days of 'No Bikers' signs outside pubs- we're generally welcome wherever we go these days.

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I dont know what its like in Belgium but in Australia no matter where you stop, most people don't even notice you if their not into bikes.

I would imagine a woman on a bike might get more interest.

I ride a Triumph Bonneville so get lots of older guys coming up to me reminiscing about their bike from the 60"s.(The Bonneville is old man's porn it seems!) Sports bike riders tend to ignore me. Harley riders absolutely ignore everyone. (am developing a hatred for them. The bloody arrogance

So yes your probably worrying too much :-) I don't give it a second thought.